Its important to bear in mind that plan variations occur, so be sure to read through your plans specific list of approved items before you use your flex card. There are several things that you can do to stay away from these traps. Our agents are ready to help you review your options and find the most cost-effective plan for your needs. Since the free money associated with these cards is enticing, scammers get many people to fall for their tricks. . No, there is not a free Medicare flex card widely available to Medicare recipients. Out-of-Network. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Theres a lot of uncertainty and confusion surrounding this benefit included in some Medicare Advantage plans. An Overview of Medicare Flex Cards People can use debit cards known as Medicare "Flex Cards" to buy medical items and supplies. We are committed to protect your privacy. For example, if your doctor agrees that it is medically necessary for you to wear a certain type of orthopedic shoe, then your flex card could likely be used to buy it. I contacted them on a 1800 561 #. Take care of yourself! Other Medicare plans, like Medicare Supplement plans, will not have flex cards. So, you will need to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes the flex card benefit. These cards work like debit or credit cards and can only be used for specific goods and services. Good job that you did some investigation. And enjoy all the PayFlex Card has to offer. You can replace your Medicare card in one of the following ways if it was lost, stolen, or destroyed: Log into your MyMedicare.gov account and request one. Even with the flex card benefit, the Medicare Advantage HMO plan still produces higher out-of-pocket costs than the Medicare Supplement Plan G. In fact, a recent study by the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance shows that a higher number of people are enrolling in Medicare Supplement Plan G to help save money on out-of-pocket costs. Flex cards can only be used for qualifying medical expenses. Im going to vent here, so if you arent interested, skip to the next section. First of all, bless you for helping your Mom out. Is your husband on Medicare already? Insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans will advertise benefits to entice beneficiaries to call in or fill out a contact form. Medicare advertisements are constantly flooding our screens. They are only available as an additional benefit in specific plans nationwide. When you visit the doctor or need to purchase medical supplies, you simply swipe the card to pay for the purchase. It is designed to give you a little more freedom when prioritizing your health needs regarding dental, vision and hearing coverage specifically. Up to $5,100 in extra help paying for prescription medications. Insurance is not a component of a Flex card. Once the card arrives, you can begin using it for qualified medical expenses like copays, deductibles, OTC medications, and other expenses. Jagger Esch is the Medicare expert for MedicareFAQ and the founder, president, and CEO of Elite Insurance Partners and MedicareFAQ.com. This is a relatively new benefit to be offered and it is only available in a limited number of Medicare Advantage plans from some private carriers. I am glad you found this information helpful. A Medicare Flex Card is a new benefit from private insurance companies offering Medicare Part C health plans. Medicare supplement insurance is an extension of Original Medicare that helps pay for out-of-pocket expenses not covered by Original Medicare. Not all cards have the same benefits. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Flex cards are an additional benefit to Medicare Advantage plans. However, the senior flex card cannot be used on these types of items unless they are considered medically necessary by your doctor. Medicare itself doesnt offer this benefit. What are the Medicare Flex Card eligibility rules? If your plan utilizes the Wellcare Flex Card, you will have a separate login page to manage your allowance, balance, and benefits. Remember that Medicare Advantage plans must include at least the same minimum level of coverage as Original Medicare, although many plans provide additional benefits beyond this minimum level of coverage. Medicare flex card eligibility for groceries will vary with the plan. Often, Medicare Advantage plans have high maximum out-of-pocket costs. She didnt take Medicare Insurance. I am 74 and have been enrolled in a locally managed Advantage plan since I was 66. The HMO tied to her Medicare has been issuing a MasterCard that also acts as her insurance card. Easy. The process usually just requires providing them with your basic personal information to get you signed up. Ashlee is a Medicare expert who specializes in Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Part D education. They're designed to help you pay for medical expenses that aren't covered by your plan; that way, you don't need to pay out of pocket. Generally speaking, you may be able to use a flex card for things like: Some plans may stipulate that the flex cards can only be used for dental, vision and hearing while others may be less restrictive. I called back and went through the same problem. Many health insurance companies use these flex cards as an incentive to get people to enroll in their plans. These ads usually include a multitude of misleading or false claims. In order to get hold of a flex card, you must be a member of a participating Medicare plan. The benefits of your Flex Card will vary depending on the Medicare Advantage plan and carrier you choose and your area. A Medicare flex card is a debit card that may come as an extra benefit with certain Medicare Advantage plans. Private Medicare Advantage plans distribute the cards in these ads not Original Medicare. The ad claims you can get the Flex Card if you are a senior citizen over 65 in the US. A Medicare flex card for seniors is similar to a debit card or credit card that can be used to pay for qualified medical expenses. $0. Flex cards are only available to enrollees of qualified Medicare Advantage plans. Thats because this card is exclusive to Medicare Advantage plans. She stated she did not know why. Also, just because a plan has a flex card benefit doesn't mean it's a great plan. She said this would give me money. DarkoStojanovic/Pixabay | Coverage Guide, Social Security Break-Even Calculator + What It Means, Does Medicare Cover Stair Lifts? There are significant, differences between Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare supplement plans. Have you called this new insurance and told them about your issues? While this could be true under rare circumstances, a licensed physician must deem these items medically necessary. Some WellCare Medicare Advantage plans may offer a Visa flex card with a spending limit of $200 $2,000. So I went to the office covered by the plan. And we seniors have to be so careful to not be taken advantage of. Thanks, Barbara. And even if the ad is legitimate, be aware that there are lots of scams out there. In that case, you can call the customer service number on the back of your medical card to receive assistance. Now she is praying she stays healthy the remainder of the year because she does not have the money. Flex cards have been used in the past to lure in seniors by overpromising availability and use when, in fact, they are not common. What is a Medicare Flex Card? Select which Medicare plans you would like to compare in your area. But as I stated, she has to pay for it, and may not see the benefits. Transportation - Receive a certain amount of rides at no cost. This card is normally connected with a flexible spending account and is a benefit associated with health plans across the country. Barbara. Also, good to know that people are reading this post, because I think the Flex card is a ripoff. This website is not connected with the federal government or the federal Medicare program. However, strict rules govern flexible spending accounts, so you should confirm these details with the plan administrator. The Flex card isnt what its advertised to be. Medicare Flex Cards arent available as a Medigap plan benefit. Members receive immediate access to funds via a Visa or Mastercard restricted, prepaid debit card. I spoke to 2 ladies, they asked me if I had Medicare and I answered Yes. They want to make a sale! I dont like HMO either, but they usually are the cheapest. Lastly, you can look for help through independent organizations. Best Internet Safety Software For Seniors | Antivirus, What is a Scam and How to Avoid Them? Let me know if I can be of more assistance. What Is a Medicare Flex Card? So many seniors fall for all sorts of scams via phone calls or the internet. But I found out my plan already covered some vision expenses, so what did I need this for? Truthfully, Medicare is not distributing flex cards for seniors. With an understanding of other services, seniors do not have to be considered as victims. Plans with the flex card benefit are not available nationally, so you will have to see if a plan is offered in your area. The benefits are for items approved by your health insurance plan. After I read your article, I looked at the back of the card and it said this: Aetna and its agents are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the Federal Medicare program. This card, though, has to be linked with a Medicare Advantage Plan that does actually cost money. As of this writing, I dont see anything. What is a Medicare Flex Card? Which I highly recommend you read. Many companies give you the option of checking your balance online. Of course, the amount varies depending on your chosen insurance company, plan, and location. The plan also covered vision expenses. Does the Flex card cover expenses she would need? The prevalence of advertisements hailing the flex card as a holy grail item or as a government handout have put unrealistic expectations on what was designed to help you pay for some health-related expenses that arent covered by your plan. Using the Wellcare Medicare Flex Card. Thank you for your comment. Luke has been helping Medicare-eligible clients with their insurance and retirement-planning needs since 2011. The cards pay for several out-of-pocket costs associated with your plan. The flex card benefit is not a common feature of Medicare Advantage plans, but you can find it in a handful of plans nationwide. These cards, issued by private insurance companies, are only available on specific plans. Thank you so much for this information. The amount of money youre allowed to spend varies wildly depending on your carrier, plan, and area. Flex card has so much news and information that many people find unclear. Flex Cards are for use to cover qualifying medical expenses only. Your social security is linked to your Medicare. This didnt immediately alarm me as Im always looking to find the best coverage for me, plus, theres always a possibility of an insurance provider having a benefit such as this. Maybe that will help you. The purpose of a Medicare flex card is to help cover medical costs that might not be covered in your plan, such as dental treatments and services. But $2800 Flex card for seniors will be considered a health . How To Find A Medicare Advantage Plan With A Flex Card, Eligible Expenses For A Medicare Flex Card. Copyright 2022 Medigap.com. Enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan requires you to meet the essential, Once you have determined that you are eligible for Medicare, you will need to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers the flex card benefit. Typically linked to a flexible spending account, these cards are a benefit of qualifying health plans. Flex cards. Well, the insurance companies claim that you will have access to other benefits not covered by your Medicare. Thanks for your thoughtful comments. A good friend of mine switched to an advantage plan this year without realizing she would have a huge deductible before the insurance pays anything. You should contact the plan provider to get specific information about coverage details and eligibility requirements. BTW ~ THANK YOU!!! She said TX. Enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan requires you to meet the essential eligibility criteria for Medicare. So, how do you avoid these scams? Since the inception of his first company in 2012, he has been dedicated to helping those eligible for Medicare by providing them with resources to educate themselves on all their Medicare options. Flex cards are not part of the federal Medicare program and Medicare does not distribute these cards. Utilities, water, electric, phone, cable TV These cards, offered by private insurers are only available for particular plans. However, that is not the case! We have already mentioned the fact that not all Advantage plans include a flex card. We have to help each other to avoid being taken advantage of. I just tell them Medicare doesnt call you and I hang up. These private insurance company-issued cards are only accessible on specific plans. However, this is almost never the case. But you will be encouraged to do so. Current enrollees in Medicare who wish to switch to a Medicare Advantage plan with a flex plan benefit will have to follow a slightly different process. I would dispose of the card, and yes, cut it up. I would call your old insurance and talk to a person who is versed in these issues. When you visit the doctor or need to purchase medical supplies, you simply swipe the card to pay for the purchase. Primary Care Physician. These cards are debit cards typically linked to a flexible spending account. Barbara, Hi Barbara, Please everyone out there beware. In some cases, you can use your card to purchase healthy groceries at participating stores as well. On the other hand, Medicare Supplement plans allow beneficiaries to save money while receiving the benefits they need to reduce Original Medicare costs. You might be giving up valuable coverage just to get the flex card. Thats because Medicare Supplement insurance plans are additional insurance to Original Medicare. . The Medicare Flex Card is a credit/debit card that can be used to pay for Medicare-covered expenses. Are You a Senior That Wants To Build a Website? Told her no thank you, Ill stick with what I have. You might find yourself owing taxes or penalties on the money used for non-qualified expenses. It seems to be a scam. Barbara. Flex cards are not available in every state or with every carrier. Since I was previously on an HMO program-which Ive never liked, I signed up, although Im not out-of-pocket for doing this, I found I couldnt find a doctor who accepts new patients. Randy; thanks for making my day. These companies dont care about you; only your money. Guard your personal information and only share with trusted sources. Flex cards can be used for eligible medical expenses. I am glad you are being careful about investigating your health plans. Use it for eligible health care expenses, such as doctor and dentist visits, prescriptions, hospital stays, hearing and vision care. 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